Chandler Parsons doesn’t remember much about Jeremy Lin’s first time around with the Rockets.

As a rookie, Parsons was just trying to make the team.

But Parsons does recall the Rockets’ second preseason game of 2011 against the Spurs, in which he and Lin came off the bench together and helped the Rockets nearly pull off a victory after being down by double digits.

“When I saw him in the Spurs game, I was like, ‘Man, this guy can play,’ ” Parsons said. “But I don’t think anyone in the world expected what happened.”

Lin’s first stint with the Rockets ended three days after that 97-95 loss at San Antonio. His second time around in Houston is just getting started after the Rockets introduced their new point guard Thursday. The Knicks didn’t match the three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet Lin signed with the Rockets.

“It’s always difficult when you’ve obviously made an error,” Rockets owner Les Alexander said. “We made an error by letting him go, and I think we rectified it now.”

Learning a life lesson

For Lin, those two weeks last December were about more than basketball.

“One of the tough things is uncertainty, and I didn’t know how long I would be around here the first time,” Lin said. “Learning how to fight and battle and persevere through adversity and uncertainty — I think learning that lesson will help me with everything in life.”

Undrafted out of Harvard, Lin signed with Golden State but bounced back and forth between the Warriors and the NBA Development League during the 2010-11 season.

Golden State waived Lin on Dec. 9 as training camps opened, and the Rockets claimed him three days later. He played just over seven minutes in two preseason games.

The Rockets told Lin to wait while they made final decisions on the roster.

“That was an emotional time,” Lin said. “At that time, I had really wanted to stay. I had been here, and I was comfortable with the sets and had been through the training camp.”

Caught in numbers game

With three point guards owning guaranteed contracts on the roster, there was no room for Lin, and he was waived, getting the news on Christmas Eve. He joined the Knicks three days later and was nearly on the way out again before injuries put him on the floor in February.

“I’m surprised to see anybody go, because guys are talented, and everybody can play at this level,” Parsons said.

Lin flourished with the Knicks, leading them to a 9-3 record before the All-Star break while averaging 22.5 points and 8.7 assists.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Lin said. “And I’m very excited that they were committed to bringing me back. I’m excited to be back.”